UW-La Crosse T&F coach Buchholtz, sprinter Blaskowski take home coach, athlete of year awards
UW-La Crosse men’s track & field coach Josh Buchholtz and sprinter Sam Blaskowski have earned national awards, after outstanding performances at last weekend’s National Championships.
Buchholtz was named national head coach of the year, while Blaskowski, a junior, was named National track athlete of the year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
Buchholtz’s Eagles won the NCAA Division III outdoor national championship last weekend in Myrtle Beach. That comes after the UW-L men won the indoor championship earlier this year.
That puts National Titles for the 16-year coach at 11 — six indoor (2009, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2023, 2024) and five outdoor (2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2024).
Of course, none of that happens this year without Blaskowski and the other 11 UW-L athletes to earn All-American honors, along with a pair of relay teams.
Blaskowski won two individual titles at the National Championships, and was part of the winning 400-relay team.
The junior won the 100 dash for the third consecutive year last weekend, and his NCAA DIII record-breaking time from a few weeks ago currently has him qualified for the Olympic Trials. He currently has the 14th fastest time, while the top 36 times qualify for the Trials.
Blaskowski, also went back-to-back in winning the 200, last weekend, having run the third-fastest-ever time.
The track athlete of the year honor gives Blaskowski a sweep there, too, as he took that award after the indoor National Championships.
TOP PHOTO: FILE – UW-La Crosse sprinter Sam Blaskowski (left) and men’s coach Josh Buchholtz, took home national awards after the NCAA DIII championships (PHOTO: UWLAthletics.com)